Protect the Local Ecosystem
WHY THIS MATTERS: Our yards and grounds are part of the local ecosystem. They can help capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it away, as well as preserve the diversity of plants, insects, and animals that all play a role in natural systems. How we care for our properties has effects on our shared natural spaces, and making sustainable choices can help reduce the effects of extreme weather events, like flooding, caused by climate change.
HOW SP TAKES ACTION: We offer educational programs for residents, businesses, and professional local landscapers about a property’s role in the local ecosystem. We share strategies to manage yards, gardens, and grounds with sustainability and green infrastructure in mind.
Conserving our Green Spaces
Princeton’s natural spaces are part of what makes the town so special, from the aesthetic and recreational benefits to the provision of clean air and water and wildlife habitat.
Our green spaces also help with water filtration and flood abatement. Natural resources are not calculated in our GHG inventory but offer impactful strategies to combat climate change.
Conservation efforts and proper ecosystem management can help minimize the risks posed by climate change, in addition to transitioning to more sustainable landscaping practices. The trees in Princeton capture and store about 4% of our emissions each year and also help to reduce urban heat island effects in more developed areas. Tree Equity Scores in Princeton (right image), which rank from 89 to 100 and indicate equitable distribution of tree canopy throughout the Municipality.
While this is an ongoing process that requires continuous focus, Princeton is putting in the work to protect its environment and the surrounding natural areas.
Princeton’s Climate Action Plan Spotlight
Natural Resources Goal: All Princeton community members benefit from a healthy and resilient ecosystem. More information can be found in Princeton’s Climate Action Plan.
This Pillar addresses the following CAP objectives:
Objective 6: Protect and enhance local natural resources that provide carbon capture; reduce flooding and heat island impacts
Objective 7: Protect the tree canopy
Our Initiatives
A program that engages residents and landscapers to adopt practices that protect both the health of workers and the ecosystem.
This blog series features the ways Princeton homeowners, renters, and businesses practice sustainable landscaping. Check out the latest features in our news room.
The Guyot Walk is a hidden gem of natural serenity located in the center of Princeton. Local neighbors organize community-wide workdays to help with invasive species removal and native plantings.
The goal of the project is to revitalize the garden beds at Monument Park to make the plaza a beautiful attraction in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
